Seahawks smother Pointers, advance to NCAA Championship

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SEAHAWK MEN'S ICE HOCKEY RESULTS
Salve Regina 3, Wis.-Stevens Point 0
Lake Placid, N.Y. - Herb Brooks Arena
Saturday, March 24, 2018

Summary
The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team got a shutout performance for All-American goaltender Blake Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) and defeated Wisconsin-Stevens Point 3-0 to propel themselves into the NCAA Division III men's ice hockey Championship Game.

Series and Streaks
The Seahawks own a 1-0 record against the Pointers after taking this first-ever meeting.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Salve Regina junior Blake Wojtala made 55 saves in the shutout win adding to his program record for career wins (46) and shutouts (9).
2. Salve Regina freshman Erik Udahl (East Walpole, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway in the first period, then added a powerplay tally in the second period.
3. Salve Regina freshman Danny Philbrick (Rye, N.H.) punched in an empty-net goal with 2:28 remaining to secure the victory.

Key Stat of the Game
The Seahawks blocked nearly as many shots (19) as they themselves put on the Pointers net (20).

Turning Point
The Seahawks were being outshot 20-0 for a long stretch of the first period and hardly had possession of the puck. Blake Wojtala made numerous saves in dangerous spots to keep the scoresheet clean and allow the Seahawks to settle in. The Pointers dropped the puck near center ice and Erik Udahl snatched it and was off to the races the other way, streaking up the ice and snapping a shot home to give the Seahawks a 1-0 lead with 1:25 left in the period. It was just the fourth shot on goal for the Seahawks that period.

Quick Hits

• The Pointers held a 55-20 advantage in shots on goal.
• • The Pointers attempted 105 shots in the game. 55 were stopped by Wojtala, 29 went wide, two others hit the post, and the remaining 19 were blocked by Salve Regina defenders.
• Salve Regina went 1-for-3 on the powerplay while the Pointers were 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
• Max Milosek (Lapeer, Mich.) made 17 saves in the loss for the Pointers.
• With the win, the Seahawks will make their first ever appearance in a NCAA Championship game for any varsity sport in the school's history.

Next Up

Salve Regina (22-5-2) advances to the NCAA Championship game to face St. Norbert on March 24 at 7 p.m., in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Wis.-Stevens Point finishes its season at 21-6-3.